nose wheel shimmy [video]

[Plummit]

So I need to increase the break-out force on my Nose Gear spindle but turning the nut one flat to the next hole makes it way too tight. Is the common thinking that it's OK to drill a second hole in the spindle or add a hole (or notch) to the nut?

Also, if you are drilling the leg do you remove it and use a drill press or free-hand it with a drill motor?

-Marc

[Mousse]

I made another notch in the nut and used AN3 bolt (or a short cutter pin) to lock the nut only on the handmade notch. No need to lock the nut across the axle. And a lot easier to notch the nut than drilling the axle.

Michel

[Phil]

If it’s a new installation you’re okay going on the high side. It will loosen up over the first 50 hours or so. Also be sure you’ve got it well greased and also exercise the pivot while you’re adding grease to ensure it’s well distributed before you take any measurements.

Another tip is to tighten it, then exercise the full range of motion before you take the measurement. Exercising the pivot across the range of motion will loosen the breakout force.

But, if I had it to do again, I’d error on the tight side and let it wear into the proper range rather than going for perfection and having it run away from you.

Phil

[Plummit]

I ended up cutting a new slot in the nut and tightening it up to get 32 pounds of breakout force. We will see how well that works today. Also, someone mentioned that no grease should be applied to the Bellville washers. mine were greased so I cleaned them and put it back together dry.

-Marc